Giovanni Benelli was born May 12, 1921
in Poggiole di Vernio, diocese of Pistoia, Italy.

Seminary of Pistoia, Pistoia;

Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome;

Pontifical ecclesiastical Academy, Rome.

Priesthood:

Ordained, October 31, 1943, Rome.

Pastoral work in diocese of Rome, 1943-1950.

Further studies, Rome, 1943-1947.

Attached to Vatican secretariat of State, private secretary to Giovanni Battista Montini, substitute of secretariat of State, August 1, 1947.

Privy chamberlain supernumerary, July 16, 1950.

Secretary on nunciature In Ireland, 1950-1953.

Secretary of nunciature in France, 1953-1960.

Auditor of nunciature in Brazil, 1960-1962.

Domestic prelate, August 1, 1961.

Counselor of nunciature in Spain, 1962-1965.

Permanent observer of Holy See before UNESCO, Paris, May 11, 1965 - June 11, 1966.

Episcopate:

Elected titular archbishop of Tusuro and appointed pro-nuncio in Senegal and apostolic delegate in Western Africa, June 11, 1966.

Consecrated, September 11, 1966 Rome by Cardinal Amleto Giovanni Cicognani.

Bishop of title of suburnicarian see of Frascati and secretary of State. Substitute of secretariat of State and secretary of Cipher, June 29. 1967.

Transferred to metropolitian see of Florence, June 3, 1977.

Cardinalate:

Created cardinal priest in the consistory June 27, 1977;

received the red Biretta and the title S. Prisca, June 27, 1977.

Attended IV ordinary Assembly of World Synod of Bishops, Vatican City, September 30-October 29, 1977.

Participated in the conclave of August 25-26, 1978.

Participated in the conclave October 14-16, 1978.

Attended I Plenary Assembly of Sacred College of Cardinals, Vatican City, November 5-9, 1979;

V Ordinary Assembly of World Synod of Bishops, Vatican City, September 26-October 25, 1980.

Giovanni Benelli died October 26, 1982 in Florence.
He was buried at metropolitan cathedral basilica S. Maria del Fiore
also located in Florence.

Reference:

Bibliography. II Cardinale Giovanni Benelli. Giovanni Battista re, et al. Roma: Edizioni Studium, 1992. (Coscienza studi, 22);

In memoriam di S.Em. II Cardinale Giovanni Benelli, arcivescovo di Firenze. Florence: Curia Arcivescovile, 1982.